A Rat's Guide to Glory
- Thread starter Naron
- Start date
I see gamble, I pick.
[X] Something Neat (Mystery Box)
[X] Something Neat (Mystery Box)
Brightflame
Lord of the Dance
- Location
- Inkopolis
[X] Get started on a full augment suite
-[X] Improve your senses. New eyes, new ears, maybe a new nose? If there's something more esoteric, like a radar, take it.
-[X] Improve your senses. New eyes, new ears, maybe a new nose? If there's something more esoteric, like a radar, take it.
thenew
#1 Masters of the Bazaar Fan
- Location
- My Lodgings
I'll have to present an argument in favor of a full augment suite, hm?
Okay. So.
While the gacha might give us an interesting option, we're already going into a mission. We shouldn't take risks. We need something that will be relevant and useful now, and augmenting our senses is an invaluable upgrade that has no downsides.
Okay. So.
While the gacha might give us an interesting option, we're already going into a mission. We shouldn't take risks. We need something that will be relevant and useful now, and augmenting our senses is an invaluable upgrade that has no downsides.
I mean, jokes about the gacha part aside, the mystery box can potentially give Naron a chance to expand out the City's lore in his own way, and also show a gleam of Ciel's personality, since story-wise the choice is essentially passing the buck back to Ciel to pick what catches their eyes.
Whatever we get out of this won't be bad anyway, maybe niche or for scenarios that won't apply for this mission, but Ciel won't spend money on something bad. We also have Hifumi's favour that we can call in, which will help for any potential tough situations in this new office, so I think we can get away with skipping an augment upgrade.
Really though, I just think it can be really interesting to see what Naron comes up with here.
Whatever we get out of this won't be bad anyway, maybe niche or for scenarios that won't apply for this mission, but Ciel won't spend money on something bad. We also have Hifumi's favour that we can call in, which will help for any potential tough situations in this new office, so I think we can get away with skipping an augment upgrade.
Really though, I just think it can be really interesting to see what Naron comes up with here.
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Most Gatcha also have probabilities that really should not be allowed, mostly because humans have no idea how probabilities works. (Did you know that the only level of difficulty in X-com that tells you the real probabilities of hitting your targets is the Legendary one? All the others actually tells you numbers that are lower than the real ones, because, funnily enough, humans confronted with the real numbers think the game is cheating and hitting less than it should.)
Anyway, while I do trust Naron to make the choice interesting if it wins, I hold no interest in it myself, as I told previously in the quest, I am a minmaxer at heart, I want to continue specializing, and the gatcha runs into the problem of removing the control over doing that, because even if it stays in the specialization, it may not implement it in the way I would have done it.
For example, right now, I want to get a sensory suite, because it works with the office we just entered and is non intrusive in appearance as written. If Naron decide to give us a giant antenna that considerably increase our awareness of the environment (not that I expect something like that, just an example), then we technically still get the sensory suite, but the aesthetic is not the same at all and it is obvious there's something going on.
- Location
- Earth
Alright, closing votes now!
And here is the tally, 17 to 13 for feeding the gacha addiction over the augment. I mean, it could be anything; even an augment!
Note how what seemed like three votes for the augment was actually an illegal approval vote. I kept it separate for that reason. Mystery Box would have won regardless, but still.
And here is the tally, 17 to 13 for feeding the gacha addiction over the augment. I mean, it could be anything; even an augment!
Note how what seemed like three votes for the augment was actually an illegal approval vote. I kept it separate for that reason. Mystery Box would have won regardless, but still.
I mean, it could be anything; even an augment!
I would laugh both if it was something worthless and if it was an augment.
- Location
- America
I could think of one fair use of 'Locate nearest rock'
If we're in an illusion and for whatever reason the illusion has to display a rock, the rock not being detected as a rock would tip us off to being in an illusion. Also would help with discovering hidden things that are disguised as rocks for the same reason.
- Location
- Earth
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They/Them
Damn, I missed the vote.
Oh Well. Gacha is fine.
Oh Well. Gacha is fine.
Grade 7 - 4; A Small Match Can Light a Great Fire
- Location
- Earth
[] Something Neat (Mystery Box)
You see a lot of interesting things on your trip; a lantern with black flame inside catches your eye, as does a pair of boots that lets the wearer walk steady on any surface. Nice clothes with extra properties, composite tools, even a bag that is a bit larger on the inside. All interesting and you would honestly love to buy them all, but you do not have the money. Nor can you carry all this stuff, except with that bag.
In the end you walk out of a jewelry store with your wallet lighter. On your finger sits a green-tinged steel ring, the Galeforce Ring. Being able to make wind on command sounded interesting enough to spend money; the gale is strong enough to push people back if they are not too strong. So it will help get space or run, but also make for a good surprise attack.
You marvel at the ring for a while, though part of your attention remains on the streets. A few Rats notice you, but skitter away instead; by this point you look like a Fixer even with your worn, purple coat. The large weapon slung over your shoulder makes that quite clear.
The rest of your afternoon is spent on getting your hair cut properly for the first time in years. You consider another set of clothes, but decide against that for now; maybe soon, but you got so used to what you have that you do not want to give them up just yet. Though... maybe something white to make a good first impression on Hana Association?
But those are thoughts for later. You end the trip by buying groceries and head on home to wait for the other two.
Much as you came to expect over the last few weeks, Mai has little to say about your job in District 23. She eats quietly, just as tired as she usually is. Parvati makes a face at the news, though.
"Make sure you don't get eaten over there," she says, half joke and half serious. Her sister lets out a quiet snort that earns a look from Parvati.
You pretend not to notice the byplay and nod, one finger still stroking your new ring. "I'll try to be careful. Do you want anything from over there?"
That earns both sisters' attention. Where Parvati just arches a brow however, Mai is clearly surprised. They both know what you just asked, but really? At this point you got used to Parvati's habits; it is fine as long as she keeps them away from you.
"You told them?" Mai asks her sister, who shakes her head.
"No. Ciel is just observant." So saying, Parvati turns back to you. "But no, thanks. Keeping the stuff fresh would be a hassle. I'll just have to go myself one day."
You accept that as it is and take over doing the dishes that evening. Parvati and Mai watch TV on the couch, shoulders resting against each other. It has only been a few weeks, but this sort of thing has become familiar by now. Neither sister is particularly animated in the evening, though that may just be you.
The next morning, Mai just quietly wishes you good luck before heading out. It is only a little thing, but it makes you feel a little stronger. Weapon shouldered and coat flapping in a breeze, you get going yourself.
It feels a little weird leaving what was your place for a good, long while to other people. Even if it is just a few days, some part of you worries that they and your things will be gone when you return. Maybe it was right to spend some money ahead of time?
No, you do not want to think that of them. Taking a deep breath, you shake off those thoughts and rather marvel at the incredible technology that is WARP trains. The station itself is well maintained and orderly; you meet Leon and Harumi just as the train arrives through some sort of portal. Monroe joins a few minutes later, before the checks are complete.
It turns out Leon already rode one of these before; he seems happy to do so again and you can understand why. The seatbelt and such is a little weird when your journey only takes ten seconds, but you bear with it easily enough. It is honestly amazing how you barely even feel the transition.
"It's a weird experience," Harumi summarises once you disembark. "Like, I know something happens, but it's over before I can really think about it."
"Pretty much," you agree. This is the first time you really get to talk to some of your coworkers in Scythe Office. "But it's an amazing piece of technology."
A grinning W-Corp employee shows you a thumbs up, having heard your words in passing. You nod back to be polite but keep on moving. The others seem to agree with you, too.
"Anyway," Leon cuts off the conversation, "be on your guard now. I smell blood."
He leads you through the exit and into a street that is almost like home; stores and restaurants of all sorts and sizes snuggle against each other while throngs of people push along in either direction. It feels almost like District 9, though it is somewhat off. The two limbless lumps in crimson puddles at a wall are not the reason, though.
Beyond the far more prevalent smell of cooking meat, spices, and rich sauces, it takes you a few minutes to realise the colours people wear are are different.
Thankfully, the sight of four armed people moving with purpose gives you a little bit of room in the crowd. Nobody accosts you, though a few tattooed gangsters watch warily. Leon ignores them and the others follows suit. You almost do the same, but realise this could be trouble; so you belatedly catch the gangsters' gazes and offer a nod in passing. Eyebrows rise, but what may be the leader nods back.
Outside of almost stumbling into a Sweeper den, you reach String Office without any trouble. You personally realised two things by now: District 9 and District 23 do not seem too different from each other, and there is a curious air of worry over the crowds; people whisper with each other at times and everyone looks over their shoulders more than usual. Maybe it is just the norm, but there were several dumbly grinning or giggling people that everyone gave a wider berth as they trudged along. You have a feeling these things are related.
The office itself is a decently sized building, the whole building at that. What you notice first upon entering is the number of cases spread around; weary Fixers tune lutes, violins, and guitars. You join them for a bit while Leon goes to talk to the Operator.
"It takes some practice," one of the older Fixers explains once you ask them about their weapons. They gently strum a single chord, which slices off a sheet of paper with the resulting hum. "The way these work is that they amplify each sound and focus the wave of noise to the point it can cut. Hard to see and harder to counter, but you can easily hurt yourself if you don't pay attention."
That is an impressive sort of weapon, though you doubt you would ever want something like it. According to the veterans here, a proper ensemble of strings can slice whole waves of enemies apart before they ever get close. Their weapons have reinforced bodies to be used as clubs, too.
Then the lights flicker for several seconds. The Fixer you were talking to mutters under their breath and puts the weapon aside. "Damn it, again?"
"That's odd," Monroe comments from the wall they are leaning against. "I haven't seen issues with the power lines since the old L-Corp fell. Didn't you guys pay the bills?"
"Then we wouldn't have any power at all, smartass," another Fixer snaps back, though there is little real heat in it. "One of the L-Corp facilities collapsed a few months ago, no idea why. They're still setting up the replacement and there's some sort of issue with the power lines. Prices got jacked up a tad, too. Nothing like back then, but it still sucks."
"Hear, hear," another adds drily. You quietly agree with the sentiment, though; prices for electricity are lower than ever since Lobotomy Corporation took over.
Leon returns a minute later and takes you along to work. In his words: "There are a lot of Enkephalin junkies out there, so our job is to take them down."
"How do we identify them?" you ask, unaware of the symptoms. Leon just grins back.
"Stop anyone who smiles, ask them if they're happy. If yes, kill 'em. We're not going to get them all this way, but for now we need to cut down on their numbers. A bunch of other Fixers are doing the same thing, mostly associates but also some others. I heard about one lady who's going solo, big deal recently. Her name's Maria. You see her, you're on your best behaviour."
That sounds odd, but nobody disagrees beyond a curious look. Leon leads you into the streets, where you do the opposite of what you expected a Shi associate to do: you comb through the streets and stop anyone with those vapid grins. They barely even react at times and nobody bats an eye when you kill them. People just make room for you to drag the corpses aside.
This continues for several hours and at least a hundred kills. Your group passes three others along the way, all bloody but resolute..
"How many of them are there?" Harumi asks the important question that evening. The four of you awkwardly settled in your room at the hotel, a package of jerky making the rounds. Leon is cleaning his sword and grunts in response; Monroe has their feet propped up on the table and only offers a weak shrug.
You put down the pen, having gotten in some early work on your report. "That's why we're here," you remind your coworker. "They wouldn't have shelled out for people from across the City if it were just a few people."
She raises her hand as if to argue, but lowers it without a word and sighs. "You know what? Fair."
"We're going to keep culling the junkies tomorrow," Leon adds while sliding his sleek, gleaming blade into its holster. "Once we have another hundred down, we start collecting intel on the Highlight Heroes.
There is general acknowledgement and the rest of you gets to checking your weapons as well. Harumi stretches her three bionic ones, a spear in each arm and a prehensile sword coming out of her back. Monroe carefully scrubs their glaive, easily the size of your Lucerne. It crackles with electricity as they test the functionalities
You feel reasured to have them around; each of your colleagues is good at what they do, not that much skill is needed to kill junkies. They are barely there in the head, not even enough to lie despite having seen you kill their friend for giving the wrong answer.
At the same time you are deeply uncomfortable sharing a room with the other Fixers. It makes sense for String Office to only pay for one per group, but you are awake every quarter hour or so; every tiny noise sets you off, makes you worry for someone coming at you. The sound of Sweepers outside keeps you awake through the Night in the Backstreets. The occasional muffled scream does not help.
Throughout it all you wonder: what if you did kill the others and threw their bodies outside? Nobody would ever know. You could take their money and sell their weapons. But you ultimately push those intrusive thoughts aside; short term gain and long term loss, you need a good reputation more than you need cash.
Everyone else seems to be in a similar state at breakfast; no one slept well, not even Leon. Wary looks go around as you all gauge the others, but the notion is disregarded once you are out the door. Staff bustles around your group and nods are exchanged with other Fixers trudging past.
The day starts easy enough, combing the Backstreets for more Enkephalin junkies. People already got so used to you doing your thing that the crowd pushes some of them your way when they see you coming. Some vendors call out thanks for "removing contaminated ingredients from the streets", too. That is alien, but you take the tiny bit of goodwill it gives you with the locals. Maybe at least some will think twice before trying to cut you up.
Just then the entire next block is set ablaze.
The sudden heat almost swallows all noise as people turn in shock. The screams start a moment later, loudest in the burning area. Everyone runs and several people bump into you in their haste to get away.
Part of you wants to join the crowd in being far away, another wants to investigate. You barely remind yourself that you are not in charge and look to Leon, who scans the area with quick looks.
His and everyone else's gaze snaps to the nearest corner leading into the inferno when brightly burning figures pass around. You recognise one of them as a Fixer you met earlier. His skin is gone and flames keep consuming him. A stream of fire rounds the corner and catches the trio in the back; a small explosion of heat warps the air and they fall. Not dead but close, croaking for help. Nobody pays them any mind.
"Get ready!" Leon shouts, just as a lone figure steps around the corner.
His skin is covered in ash and he wields an oversized matchstick in hand, bearing the widest smile you ever saw without cut up cheeks. Looking around, he spreads his arms as if to embrace the spreading flame. You almost think it flares brighter in response.
"Bad little piggies get cooked," he tells the burning corpses-to-be with a giggle. "You'll make a nice roast beef for the crew, you know? That's what you get for attacking us. But later. I need to cook more piggies first."
He turns to your group with these words, weapons drawn but hesitant to run into a trap. The matchstick is brandished and begins to glow, but he has to parry Leon's overhead swing. The force of it cracks concrete, but he holds.
"Oho! Just like I thought, you're a bad piggie. Bad, bad, bad!"
A flare of heat follows, forcing Leon back. Harumi's own attack is aborted to escape the heat. The junkie spreads his arms wide, as if unconcerned with capitalising. You try to creep around him, but the fire is too hot at your back.
"Come on, you lot! Turn those frowns upside down, it will make you much happier! I'm Samuel and I used to be a humble cook. Now I roast our enemies so we can keep spreading happiness across the City!"
Now it sounds like a cult. You wait for Samuel to take a few steps away from the fire and leap at his side; your Lucerne hammer slams into his side, but he barely even flinches. Bloodshot eyes turn to you, the only warning there is. Heat follows and peels at your skin; you barely manage to pull out the lucerne and evade his matchstick.
But despite how sturdy it is, your own weapon's heat burned his body; fire can hurt him!
Your allies saw it too. Leon raises his sword and engages again; he and Harumi move in and around, pushing Samuel away from the inferno. You hear faint shouts as others come to put out the fire, too.
Samuel himself giggles and starts swinging; gouts of flame come with each motion, the heat he emanates forces you to be careful. Sweat evaporates from your brows and everything aches; probably burns. Your clothes chafe along your skin. Yet you barely feel any of it, attention fully on your enemy. He can bleed and so he can die. He is no faster than any of you, the blistering heat is all that keeps him safe.
Watching him, you realise he feels impossibly large to your eyes, somehow more real than the people around you. Bright, more than just literally because of the fire. He is so large you are tempted to run despite yourself, but then you bite down on the impulse. This is not who you are anymore, especially not in a fight you know you can win.
But how do you go about it?
[] Get him from behind
[] Fight with the others and coordinate
[] Overpower him and kill him as fast as you can
[] write-in another strategy
Two-hour Moratorium. Do not vote for 2 hours!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDMv6mPk2o
Scorched Samuel, Highlight Hero
Current Classification: Urban Legend
Goal: Burn the Scythe Office team to ash
Displayed Strategy: Burn baby, burn!
Scythe Office
Current Grades: 7 (Ciel, Harumi, Monroe), 6 (Leon)
Goal: Kill Samuel
Situation
-Everything is on fire; even the fire is on fire
--Firefighters are already at work, but Samuel sets more stuff on fire
-Samuel has little offensive beyond lots of heat
-Samuel's pain resistance and physical defense are unnaturally high
-Ciel has 1st Degree burns all over their body
-Ciel's Wealth changes from "Well Off" to "Okay"
-Adding "Gear" to Ciel's character sheet
-New Gear: Galeforce Ring (projects a strong gust of wind)
Kalibrius
God of reflection
- Location
- The other side of the mirror
Uh oh
Ego user..........
We need tread carefully here
It already looks like he's on the precipice of no sanity
We need to either snipe his sorry behind
Or need to make him lose sanity enough to erode into the abnormality and kite him towards his team mates so that when does go off he'll take his team with him
Ego user..........
We need tread carefully here
It already looks like he's on the precipice of no sanity
We need to either snipe his sorry behind
Or need to make him lose sanity enough to erode into the abnormality and kite him towards his team mates so that when does go off he'll take his team with him